Not OK to Use ATV's on WMA's

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife is causing an uproar within the Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Area in Pushmataha County, OK.  ATV operators are asked to be restricted to established roads only.  Scientifically, morally, and aesthetically, this move makes a lot of sense.  There is no telling exactly how much is being "taken" from the WMA.  The ATV's are used for harvesting game and outdoor recreation, but they are  causing harm to the land.  It is possible that the vehicles significantly damage native plant species too, which could have negative effects in the long run.  Do these plants have unknown scientific value, for medical use for example?  Do these plants have symbiotic relationships with insects, which may be valuable for the health of the ecosystem there?  These are types of questions that may not be answered, but are protected by the new regulation.  The problem started when a nearby WMA (Three Rivers) enacted this rule two years earlier; so, the Honobia Creek WMA has probably doubled in ATV users since then.  "Not all 4X4 riders are destructive, but some are," says Alan Peoples, the chief of the wildlife division for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.  The rule was actually requested by three different timber investment groups that own the land, not by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife.  "No one is happy about this proposed deal," says an outdoor writer for a local newspaper.  The rule may hurt yearly sales for ATV businessmen, and spoil some fun for visitors and locals; but the bigger picture here is "wise use".  There was a Town Hall meeting about the issue, but I'm uncertain of the outcome.  If the 4X4's are allowed to reign free within the Honobia Creek WMA, the habitat there will most certainly be significantly damaged if there is no regulation in place.  This could probably decrease the carrying capacity for wildlife there somewhat, and then  maybe people would get the picture (if they can't already see the area riddled with tire tracks and trails).  They aren't saying you can't have the vehicles on the WMA, it's just off road they're worried about; and off road WILL be allowed during deer gun season.  It will be interesting to find out which stakeholder wins, the citizens/businesses or the timber investors/land owners.  Personally, I think the regulation idea is awesome and it should have been enacted earlier.

 http://newsok.com/article/3638508